Artificial Intelligence is advancing at an exponential pace. AIās processing power and programming algorithms are advancing incredibly rapidly and largely out of the sight of the general population. The limitations of power intensive hardware are being solved faster than alternative power sources can be developed. And AI is exhausting the supply of internet text used by programmers to teach it and is now training itself. In some functions, it is already better than human beings, and soon it … [Read more...] about Where is AI Leading Us?
Satan
Christmas: Does It Matter?
In a popular 1965 Broadway musical set in tsarist Russia, the main character insisted that tradition provided balance in the villagersā lives and that, without traditions, their lives would be āas shaky as a fiddler on the roof.ā Traditions are indeed comfortable and somehow reassuring. If we leave the security of the customs we have grown up with, we feel shaken and a bit unstable, as Tevye so eloquently said. Tradition plays a powerful role in the customs that various cultures embrace. … [Read more...] about Christmas: Does It Matter?
What Filtration System are We Using?
I was recently given the opportunity to visit some data centers which house computer equipment capable of generating a lot of information. These newest generation of data centers will house AI, artificial intelligence. Server based computer equipment is pretty smart. The amount of information that they will generate dwarfs today's traditional data centers by leaps and bounds, and companies are looking to be a part of this rather large trend that's developing around the world. It's really … [Read more...] about What Filtration System are We Using?
Christmas Trees: Authentic Worship?
I would like you to think through the question in the title of this message because I think it will lead us to a place of agreement. My first question is really, Are you authentic? Do you value authenticity in other people? Honesty, integrity, consistency? I think weād all agree that we value those characteristics in others, and I think we probably generally think of ourselves as that sort of person. Truth matters even in popular culture such as the phrase ākeep it realā. The idea … [Read more...] about Christmas Trees: Authentic Worship?
The Decline of the American Empire
Steve McCann takes us on a journey through American history by applying the causes that led to the decline and fall of ancient empires. He enumerates six stages that have precipitated the rise and the current decline of the American empire. If we don't learn from the past, it will likely repeat itself, this time in the American nation. Mr. McCann draws heavily from Sir John Glubb's essay on the Fate of Empires: "A cursory examination of history reveals that the United States is mired in … [Read more...] about The Decline of the American Empire
The Closeness of God
If we are honest with ourselves, we donāt always have the feeling that God is relevant to our everyday lives. I donāt mean in the overall sense of knowing Godās plan and purpose. I am thinking of something more up close and personal. The longer time goes on, with the subsequent increase of corruption in our societies, the more difficult it is to feel the personal closeness of God -- that He is there for us on a real and personal basis. We may have understanding in our head, but the daily … [Read more...] about The Closeness of God
Peace, Peace but There is No Peace
Peace is something that we all desire, seek and want. During the Christmas season, one of the tag lines of the holiday is ālet there be peace on earth.ā But regardless of how hard the governments of man and individuals work for peace -- it is elusive. Why is that? One of the reasons peace is so elusive is the way power is used and where it is focused. In general, there are two approaches to the use of power. One use of power leads to strife, conflict, and war while the other leads to peace. … [Read more...] about Peace, Peace but There is No Peace